Next Step Dance Performing Arts Center Rita Allen (left) and Michelle Stafford opened their studio in 2008.[/caption]

Children of all ages dance gracefully across the studio following their instructor. They are precise and expressive with every move they make. The dancers focus on floorwork and use their entire bodies to convey emotion through their dance.


These children are the students of Next Step Dance Performing Arts Center.


Rita Allen and Michelle Stafford opened the studio in 2008.


Before then Stafford was a company director at a studio in Dallas and had taught Allen’s granddaughter. After ownership at the studio changed, Allen suggested to Stafford that they open their own studio.


“I’m not a dancer by any means, but I know business and I knew Michelle had all the talent in the world and I thought the pairing would be a good one,” Allen said.


The pairing is what Stafford said she believes has helped their studio thrive.


“We keep the business and creative sides apart from each other,” Stafford said. “I focus on the creative side while Rita focuses on the business side.”




Next Step Dance Performing Arts Center Ballet students do their routine stretches.[/caption]

The studio offers a variety of classes in different dance styles, including jazz, tap, ballet, hip-hop, lyrical and contemporary. Students from ages 2 and older can register for classes.


“My students are very well-rounded, so they’re just as good in ballet as they are in tap, jazz and in lyrical. They can do it all,” Stafford said. “They don’t just focus on one thing. If they go to an audition I want them to be able to do anything, so I train them in that way.”




Next Step Dance Performing Arts Center Contemporary students practice a new routine.[/caption]

Stafford said the dance craze in the media with shows such as “So You Think You Can Dance” and “Dancing with the Stars” has brought in a lot of students. In fact, Stafford has close relationships with celebrity choreographers such as Nicholas Bass, Stacey Tokey and Misha Gabriel, all of whom have given master classes at Next Step Dance.


When it first began in 2008, the studio only had about 42 students. Now, the studio has more than 700 students, Stafford said.


“We’re very family oriented; we keep our clientele for years and years,” Stafford said. “Many of my students have already graduated from college and now they’re working in the professional dance world in New York and LA in major dance companies. It’s pretty amazing how you can really see the fruits of your labor.”


Allen said the studio provides an avenue for students to receive scholarships and go to college.


“We’ve had three kids with full rides to college, and in total our students have received well over half a million dollars in scholarship monies,” Allen said. “We have been truly fortunate. “


Stafford said on a weekly basis she hears from parents or students about how much they love their classes, teachers and the studio.


“That’s why we do it. Dance is a passion of mine and to use it in this way to help children then that’s a wonderful thing to have.”